Infrared remote kit for basic setup?

[llckll]

Hi All,

I'm new and a noob when it comes to A/V.

I will be mounting my TV onto the wall. I have a hole from the wall to the other side in the closet. I will have my cable box and PS3 set up in the closet.

Do I need an IR kit to be able to control the cable box and the PS3? If so, what kit is recommended for this basic set up? I will not be adding anything else to my home theater system if I can call it that?

Thanks.

 

[j_garcia]

The PS3 is bluetooth, so you don't need to control it with IR anything unless you want to control it with another universal remote. Everything else could be done with a simple IR repeater system.

 

[llckll]

Is there a remote that can talk through walls without having an IR basic set up?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

BR and RF.

Is there a remote that can talk through walls without having an IR basic set up?

 

[j_garcia]

URC and Harmony (Logitech) both make RF remotes so walls would not be a concern. I've used the RF add on for the URC remotes and it works very well. There are also RF kits that can add RF to pretty much any remote:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=180-828

In each case, you still have a repeater that converts to IR to control the gear that needs it.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Logitech Harmony has a number of remotes which are RF and can control your gear behind a wall without anything else needed beyond what comes with the kit.

They also offer PS3 controlling devices so you can control the PS3 with the remote easily.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/?WT.mc_id=usym_/harmony_global&strf=Universal_Symlink

 

[llckll]

Logitech Harmony has a number of remotes which are RF and can control your gear behind a wall without anything else needed beyond what comes with the kit.

They also offer PS3 controlling devices so you can control the PS3 with the remote easily.

Thanks. So then are HD cable boxes (Cablevision Bergen County, NJ) able to support RF remotes, say, Logitech Harmony without the need for anything else?

I believe I can use my PS3 control through a wall without any add-ons.

 

[llckll]

5th post for URL.

 

[llckll]

So then would this remote work just fine through my plasma TV and wall: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/376&cl=us,en

Do I need the Harmony wireless RF extender?

 

[Nemo128]

If you're going Harmony, I would use it. The Harmony sends IR commands to the RF Extender through RF communication, so you could be facing the other direction in the bathroom on the bowl on a different level of the house with the remote aimed at your colon and it will still work correctly.

Well, at least it does when I'm facing the other direction... in the bathroom... on the bowl...

I encourage an eBay search. Harmony 890s (which come with the RF Extender) go for good prices new and slightly used. 890 Pros (no Extender, but can integrate with Z-Wave home controls and use multiple remotes) go for good too, but I doubt you'd need one of those.

Your HD cable box (Explorer, just like mine) will not communicate through RF. You will place either an IR emitter node near it which extends from the RF Extender, or you'll place the RF Extender itself near it. The RF Extender itself is also a huge blaster that will bombard the area in front of it with a pretty large cone of IR if you actually enable it.

I highly suggest not using the RF Extender as a blaster and using the included rubber isolators to place the nodes on the IR receivers built into each device. Also, set the devices to specific IR channels in the Logitech software.

Any other questions, feel free. I know a lot about these remotes.

 

[BMXTRIX]

So then would this remote work just fine through my plasma TV and wall: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/376&cl=us,en

Do I need the Harmony wireless RF extender?

Honestly, I've only used one Harmony, and it did need the RF extender which is only compatible with certain remotes from them. I'm not fully versed on all the Harmony remotes which are on the market.

It's important that you get the concept of how this stuff works:

If a device is controlled via infrared (IR) only, then that's how it must be controlled. You don't control a IR device with RF.

When you go to a RF remote, the remote has a RF transmitter in it which sends commands, via RF, to a RF receiving unit. The RF receiving unit converts those RF commands back to IR and you put a small IR device on the front of the thing you need to control. It may sound complex, but it's a three piece setup - not really that bad. RF remote, RF receiver, IR bud (for each device to be controlled).

I don't think the one you linked has RF capabilities.

You might have better luck, especially with pricing, via eBay...
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=harmony+RF+remote&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[llckll]

If you're going Harmony, I would use it. The Harmony sends IR commands to the RF Extender through RF communication, so you could be facing the other direction in the bathroom on the bowl on a different level of the house with the remote aimed at your colon and it will still work correctly.

Well, at least it does when I'm facing the other direction... in the bathroom... on the bowl...

I encourage an eBay search. Harmony 890s (which come with the RF Extender) go for good prices new and slightly used. 890 Pros (no Extender, but can integrate with Z-Wave home controls and use multiple remotes) go for good too, but I doubt you'd need one of those.

Your HD cable box (Explorer, just like mine) will not communicate through RF. You will place either an IR emitter node near it which extends from the RF Extender, or you'll place the RF Extender itself near it. The RF Extender itself is also a huge blaster that will bombard the area in front of it with a pretty large cone of IR if you actually enable it.

I highly suggest not using the RF Extender as a blaster and using the included rubber isolators to place the nodes on the IR receivers built into each device. Also, set the devices to specific IR channels in the Logitech software.

Any other questions, feel free. I know a lot about these remotes.

Can you link me to all the pieces I may possibly need? I will look those parts up and continue researching.

Thanks for the useful post.

 

[llckll]

OK Got it. So this is all I need to control my cable box behind the wall. I've heard that Plasma TV's can interfere greatly with the signals. Is this true or will this still work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEALED-LOGITECH-HARMONY-890-REMOTE-CONTROL-RF-EXTENDER_W0QQitemZ150361437491QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23023d7533&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[llckll]

So in laymen terms, this is how it works.

Remote RF signal sends to RF extender through plasma tv and wall.
RF extender receives signal and converts to IR.
IR is sent to cable box.

Does the extender need to be right in front of the box or can I place it on top of the box?

 

[Nemo128]

As for the Harmony, the only RF-capable units are:

890 - 890 Pro - 1000 - 1100

I can't stress this enough, their most popular model, the Harmony One, DOES NOT HAVE RF CAPABILITY. Many people buy it thinking it does for the price, but it does not!

If you buy the Harmony 890 boxed, it comes with 100% everything you need, including the rubber isolators and 4 IR emitters. You only need some patience to get it set up, and you'll have all the help you could need here. I will not recommend any Harmony remote other than the 890 if you desire RF, including the 890 Pro which I own and the 1000/1100 which I feel are only for the most elaborate of systems and and for people who must have a touchscreen remote.

Other option, buy any IR remote that you personally like, and buy a passive IR network repeater system. It will require you to always aim at the network's receiver eye, which you will place somewhere convenient. This is a good solution for inexpensive, same-room, Line-of-Sight (LoS) applications.

I, personally, will not advocate one exact solution over another, but I highly suggest an RF solution and not the repeater solution.

Inexpensive complete Harmony 890:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-Harmony-890-LCD-Universal-Remote-w-RF-Wireless_W0QQitemZ250473269545QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a515ec929&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Refurbed unit from Buy.com, I trust them and they cover their products:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-Harmony-890-Advanced-Universal-Remote-996-0_W0QQitemZ400043043999QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d246c6c9f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

You can also buy the same one direct from Buy.com website I'm sure.

I also love the URC remotes. It's personal preference and up to you to decide what you like best.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nemo128]

OK Got it. So this is all I need to control my cable box behind the wall. I've heard that Plasma TV's can interfere greatly with the signals. Is this true or will this still work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEALED-LOGITECH-HARMONY-890-REMOTE-CONTROL-RF-EXTENDER_W0QQitemZ150361437491QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23023d7533&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Yes, that is the one. Caution, I do not see reference on that auction to the 4 IR emitters. If they are not included, you should know that they will cost you a minimum of $10 each to buy them.

If you can reach the seller before auction end, find out if the IR emitters are included. I got screwed outta mine that way. RF Extender was included, but no emitters.

 

[BMXTRIX]

OK Got it. So this is all I need to control my cable box behind the wall. I've heard that Plasma TV's can interfere greatly with the signals. Is this true or will this still work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEALED-LOGITECH-HARMONY-890-REMOTE-CONTROL-RF-EXTENDER_W0QQitemZ150361437491QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23023d7533&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

That looks very similar to the one I've used and seems to be exactly correct for all you would need to make it work. If I remember correctly, the RF extender included IR buds which are also necessary, but I think are included.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Visible-IR-Emitter-w-3-5mm-mono-mini-plug-New_W0QQitemZ330346534559QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cea30169f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

If you need them (not clear if they are included or not), then they are easy to find on eBay - search for "IR Emitter".

 

[BMXTRIX]

So in laymen terms, this is how it works.

Remote RF signal sends to RF extender through plasma tv and wall.
RF extender receives signal and converts to IR.
IR is sent to cable box.

Yes! You get this part exactly!

Taking it a bit further, when you program the remote (take your time doing this!), you tell the remote to control your TV directly using IR (not RF), and you tell it to control your cable box, receiver, dvd player, or anything else in the closet, via RF. The remote will DIRECTLY control the TV via IR, and will send RF for everything that's not line of sight.

Does the extender need to be right in front of the box or can I place it on top of the box?

The extender should be placed where it gets the best reception. Kind of like having a cordless phone in your home - it acts as an antenna, and you want the base unit to pick up the signal as well as possible, so you may want to mount it on your wall, or away from other gear which could interfere with it. The beauty of this is that you aren't locked into a single location to place the RF receiver.

Also - no plasma interference because it is RF. RF could have some electrical interference, but no plasma interference as can happen with IR repeater systems.